Statement by Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management and EU Ebola Coordinator Christos Stylianides on the Ebola outbreak in the Northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Following the declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the Northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the EU is fully committed to provide all support necessary.

The national authorities, with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the European Commission's experts in the country as well as international medical NGOs, have set in motion initial measures to respond to the situation.

The European Commission's Emergency response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is taking necessary preparedness measures for a potential EU intervention in case the European Medical Corps and logistical capacities would be needed. In this regard we are in close contact with our Member States.

In these early days of the outbreak our priority must be to maintain close and efficient coordination with the national authorities, the WHO, EU Member States, international partners and NGOs on the ground.

The EU was at the forefront of the response to the Ebola outbreak in Western Africa in 2013-2016. This new outbreak is a stark reminder that we can never let our guard down.

Vigilance, early warning, coordination and preparedness are the best tools to prevent further spread of the outbreak.